I wanted to get round in under 5 hours. I did it in 4.57. Not the fastest performance in the world, but when you spend the first 30 years of your life dodging sport of any kind, then you’re always playing catch-up.

 

Shoes were a bit tight. The weather was grim. Light drizzle is one thing.

I’ve had a cold for three and a half weeks. I’ve had a cough for the same time. My training schedule is way way off track. My aim now is to make it to the start line without a gut full of day nurse.

 

I’m still hoping for under 5 hours, but my feet haven’t felt the pounding of the street for some

Managed to get a personal best for the Milton Keynes Half marathon - 1 hour 56 mins 59 seconds.

 

Not sure I could do the whole distance again immediately - so I’m probably not ready for the 26 miles yet - but getting under 2 hours for the half marathon feels like a good sign.

The very generous Mr S Claus bought me a Fives lesson for Christmas, and after much arranging I finally too the tutelage today.

 

Fives, for those who didn’t attend private school (nope, me neither) is a bit like squash, but with gloved hands instead of a racket, and a cork and rubber ball instead

Things I learned when I ran the marathon for what is, so far, the only time:

1. I’m slow.

2. I can run for a long time slowly.

3. This means that I was overtaken by the Hintertux Glacier.

4. It also means that I ran twice as long as Paula Radcliffe did that day. You tell me - who’s the real